Mike Francesa Gets to Know Julie Stewart-Binks

It started in April, when a caller to Mike Francesa’s WFAN radio show that is simulcast on FoxSports 1 joked that his radio colleague, John Minko, had done a great job of magically transforming into an attractive blonde female TV reporter. Francesa stumbled a bit during the call and later apologized to the hockey reporter in question, Julie Stewart-Binks.

Today, Newsday sports media and sports business reporter Neil Besthighlights more of what has transpired since. The Canadian-born Stewart-Binks subsequently appeared on Francesa’s show, during the Rangers-Canadiens series, and is hoping to be back in-studio next week when the Stanley Cup Final moves to Madison Square Garden:

Francesa can’t be blamed for not initially knowing Stewart-Binks. Few Americans did until recently.

She grew up in Toronto, spent time in England completing a Masters in International Broadcast Journalism and until last summer was working for CTV in Regina, Saskatchewan.

“This whole year has been crazy,” she said… “This is living the dream. This is what I have always wanted to do: Be on the road, cover hockey, be a reporter. I’ve always wanted to be a hockey insider, the first female hockey insider…”

Stewart-Binks is based in Los Angeles. Read the rest of Best’s article here.